Andrew McGinley, who has worked behind a bar many a St Patrick’s Day, says that while you see everyone enjoying themselves, a bigger question comes to mind.

It is impossible for a body bought and paid for by the drinks industry to honestly communicate the effects of alcohol on the individual.

NekNominations are just the latest fad but we shouldn’t simply dismiss the problem or pass the buck to social media networks: Ireland’s attitude to binge drinking is dangerous and must change, writes Joe O’Connor.

Today is one of two days of the year when alcohol cannot be sold or purchased. In an almost post-apocalyptic scene, people rush to stock up the day before so that they aren’t left short and so they can get through their Friday night, but what’s that say about us as a society, asks Kathryn Reilly.

Research shows that drinking alone doesn’t make people flirt and start fights. So the answer must lie in ourselves, writes Shane Leavy.

We love to talk about Ireland’s alcohol culture – but lack the courage to do anything about it, writes Fiona Ryan of Alcohol Action Ireland.